United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MIAMI – Clarence G. Kelley, III, a/k/a “Kemp,” 42, of Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced by a federal district judge in West Palm Beach to a mandatory term of five years in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine.

In March 2021, law enforcement began investigating Kelley for his involvement in a drug-trafficking operation.   As a result of the investigation, law enforcement executed State of Florida warrants at two Lake Worth residences on April 21, 2021.  At the residence where Kelley and his girlfriend were found, law enforcement discovered 1,470 grams of cocaine in the garage and a Gucci bag in the bedroom containing Kelley’s driver’s license and approximately $18,000.   Kelley admitted that he had purchased the cocaine and sold approximately nine ounces before his arrest.  Law enforcement located items to include kilogram presses, grinders, blenders and residue at the second residence, which was used by Kelley to divide the cocaine for sale.  Kelley was previously convicted and sentenced federally for distributing crack cocaine.

In June 2021, Kelley pled guilty in West Palm Beach federal court to the sole count of the indictment, which charged the defendant with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  As part of his plea, Kelley agreed to forfeit $19,324.00 to the United States of America.

La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Ric Bradshaw, Sheriff, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA West Palm Beach District Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.  It was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

More information about this case can be found at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.